Kasey Kahne
Encyclopedia
Kasey Kenneth Kahne is a NASCAR
driver. He drives the #5 Farmers Insurance Group Chevrolet Impala
for Hendrick Motorsports
in the Sprint Cup Series.
Off the track, Kahne is active in charitable work and is a member of the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation
. He also owns his own race team, Kasey Kahne Racing
, that competes in the World of Outlaws
series, fielding two cars, one for Joey Saldana
, and the other for Cody Darrah. His team also fields a car in the USAC Sprint Car Series
for Brady Bacon, and in USAC midgets
for Brad Sweet. Kahne is a two-time Skagit Speedway winner of the Annual Jim Raper memorial Dirt Cup (2002 and 2003), and holds the current record for the fastest lap at Skagit.
, before moving up to Skagit speedway in Alger, Washington
, and then he moved to USAC. In 2001, Kahne made a trip to Pennsylvania where he won the season opener at the historic Williams Grove Speedway. He was hired by Steve Lewis
, who had also employed future NASCAR drivers Jeff Gordon
, Jason Leffler
, Tony Stewart
, and Kenny Irwin, Jr. In his first year on the circuit, he was named Rookie of the Year, as well as winning the national midget championship. He continued to run USAC, as well as the Toyota Atlantic Series
and the World of Outlaws
.
Kahne made 20 starts in the Nationwide Series driving the #98 Channellock Ford Taurus
for Robert Yates Racing. His best finish was a tenth-place finish at Cabela's 250. In 2003, he moved to the #38 Great Clips Ford for Akins Motorsports
. He won his first pole at Michigan International Speedway
and his first Nationwide race at the Ford 300
. In 2004, he also made a pair of starts in the Craftsman Truck Series
at Darlington Raceway
and Homestead-Miami Speedway
, driving the #2 Team ASE Racing Dodge Ram
for Ultra Motorsports
, winning both races.
in the #9 Dodge at the end of 2003 when Elliott announced a part-time schedule starting with the 2004 season. Due to the fact that Kahne was still under contract with Ford, a lawsuit began when Kahne decided to go to Evernham, driving a car that was being sponsored by Dodge
. Ford eventually got money from Kahne, allowing him to go to Dodge. In 2004, Kahne surprised many by nearly winning several races (including five second-place finishes and 13 top-fives), winning four poles and captured the Raybestos Rookie of the Year award. He drove 30 races for Akins in the Busch Series, finishing thirteenth in points.
. It was also the first victory for the Dodge Charger, which returned to NASCAR in 2005. In addition, he became the first driver born in the 1980's to win a race in NASCAR's premier series. He also scored two poles in back-to-back weeks at Darlington
and Richmond
during the same year. He made 22 starts in the Busch Series
, splitting time with Akins and Evernham's new #6 team. He won the O'Reilly 300
at Texas Motor Speedway
, and the United Way 300 at Kansas Speedway
.
On Monday, March 20, 2006, Kahne won the rain delayed Golden Corral 500
at Atlanta Motor Speedway
. Nearly three weeks later, he won the Samsung/Radio Shack 500
at Texas. He won four races after that, among them a season sweep at Lowe's Motor Speedway
in the Coca-Cola 600
and the Bank of America 500
, holding off Jimmie Johnson
, who would go on to finish second in both events. He also won at California and Michigan.
On September 9, 2006, Kahne successfully raced his way into the Chase for The Cup by finishing third in Richmond. He was the 10th and last qualifier for the Chase. He edged defending Sprint Cup Champion Tony Stewart
out by 16 points, but a disappointing crash at Dover
made an impact on Kahne's 8th place finish for the season. Kahne also won 2 Busch Series races in '06.
On November 27, 2006 Kahne was honored by being invited to raise the traditional 12th Man flag prior to the Seattle Seahawks
Monday Night Football
game against the Green Bay Packers
at Qwest Field
in Seattle. The ceremony has been ongoing since 2003, and involves a different Seattle-area sports hero and/or beloved member of the community kicking things off before every Seahawks home game. The Seahawks beat the Packers 34–24.
During the qualifying for the 2007 Daytona 500
, officials found holes in the wheel-wells of his Dodge Charger
. A crew member said it was just tape that had fallen off of a hole in the tire. Officials said that the tape had been cut. He was one of the four drivers among Matt Kenseth
and his two teammates, Scott Riggs
and Elliott Sadler
whose cars had been found with aerodynamic-improving modifications. His team was one of the six teams found with illegal modifications in the Daytona festivities.
On May 26, 2007 Kahne won the Busch Series
CARQUEST Auto Parts 300
race at Lowe's Motor Speedway
scoring his first win of 2007.
On August 24, 2007 Kahne won the pole for the Sharpie 500
at Bristol
, his second pole of the 2007 Nextel Cup Series. Later that night, during the Busch Series
Food City 250
, Kahne passed Ryan Newman on the top side in a 3-wide pass that included Jason Leffler
on the bottom. He held off the hard charging Leffler to win the Food City 250
for his 7th career Busch Series
win and his 2nd of 2007.
The next day during the Sharpie 500
, Kahne dominated most of the race leading 305 of 500 laps and finished 2nd to Carl Edwards
. This was his best finish of the 2007 season.
On November 16, 2007 at Homestead-Miami Speedway
Kahne was accused by Archibald Hutchinson, a 62 year old track security guard, of shoving Hutchinson to the ground. The incident occurred when Kahne was attempting to enter the motorhome lot and Hutchinson refused entry due to Kahne not having the proper credentials. Kahne claimed he had bumped into the security guard as he attempted to walk around the guard to enter the lot. Hutchinson was taken to the infield medical center following the incident complaining of elevated blood pressure. He was treated for scrapes and bruises and later released. Kahne faced a misdemeanor assault charge over the incident which he pled not guilty to. Hutchinson also filed a civil suit against Kahne seeking more than $15,000 for medical bills, lost wages, and punitive damage. In December 2008, the court agreed to dismiss the criminal charges and clear Kahne criminal record upon completion of 50 hours of community service and a donation of $50 to a court charity. Hutchinson, through his attorneys, dismissed the civil suit in September 2009 following an undisclosed settlement.
After a disappointing 2007 season Kahne finished 19th in points with no wins, 1 top 5, 8 top 10s and an average finish of 22.2.
With new sponsor Budweiser
, Kahne started off the 2008 season strong as he finished in the top 10 in both the Budweiser Shootout
and the Gatorade Duel
.
As a result of a 4th place finish in his duel, Kahne started 10th in the 50th running
of the Daytona 500
on February 17, 2008. Kahne finished 7th behind teammate Elliott Sadler
in the 2008 Daytona 500
, this was a repeat of the 2007 race
where Sadler and Kahne also finished 6th and 7th respectively.
During the early laps of the Auto Club 500
Kahne worked his way from 20th to 14th, but brushed the wall on lap 7. He however went on to finish a strong 9th after the long rain delay the race suffered. Kahne had to start in the back due to an engine change at the UAW-Dodge 400. He wound up 6th at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
.
On May 17, 2008, Kahne was voted into the 2008 Sprint All-Star Race XXIV
by his fans via cell phone text messaging
and online voting. After performing a required stop-and-go pit stop, Kahne began the fourth segment in second place on old tires. He went on to win the race and win $
1,012,975. Kahne became the first driver to win the race from the fan vote and the third driver to race in the Sprint Showdown and go on to win the All-Star race.
On May 25, 2008, Kasey Kahne won the Coca-Cola 600
by passing Tony Stewart
with 2 laps to go, as Tony had a flat tire going into turn 1. It was Kasey's first points-paying win of the season. He also became the sixth driver to win the race along with the All-Star Race
the previous weekend.
On June 6, 2008, Kahne won the pole
for the Pocono 500. He would go onto win the race despite being 38th at one point during the race after a miscue in the pits.
On June 20, 2008, Kasey Kahne won the pole
for the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway
, marking his second pole in three races. However, after handling issues early in the race, Kahne fell victim to pit road, went a lap down, and finished 33rd.
Following two 40th place finishes in a row (a Bristol Motor Speedway
wreck, caused by miscommunications between Casey Mears
and his spotter, and a Michigan International Speedway
engine failure), Kahne found himself sitting outside of the top 12, out of contention for the Chase. At the start of the last regular season race, at Richmond International Raceway
, Kahne, David Ragan
, and Clint Bowyer
were vying for that 12th spot. Unfortunately for Kahne, he was unable to make up enough points to put him into the Chase for the Sprint Cup. Kahne missed the 2008 Chase by 69 points and ended the season in 14th place.
. Kahne won the Toyota/Save Mart 350 event on June 21, 2009, for his first road course win. Kahne ran the fewest events in other NASCAR series, only seven (four in the Nationwide Series, three in the Whelen Modefied Tour). With less distractions, Kahne's track record improved, taking his second win of the season at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
After the first 26 races of the season Kahne was in the top twelve in points, earning him a place in the Chase for the Championship. He was seeded fifth in points. After suffering an engine failure at New Hampshire, Kahne struggled to get back into contention for the championship and finished 10th in the final season standings, despite finishing 2nd at the AMP Energy 500 at Talladega Superspeedway
.
. The team changed manufacturers to Ford
and received Roush-Yates engines and other equipment from Roush Fenway Racing.
Driving the new Ford Fusion car, Kahne won the Gatorade Duel #2 at Daytona International Speedway on February 11, 2010, He also finished in second position in the 2010 Budweiser Shootout. Kahne ended up 30th in the Daytona 500 after being wrecked late in the race. He had been running up front for most of the race and had the fastest lap of the race. Kahne had a strong car at the Auto Club 500
; however he spun late in turn 4.
Kahne had a good run at Atlanta a few weeks later where he led the most laps in the race, and finished inside the top five. During the following couple of months, Kasey would be unable to compete for race wins as mistakes and wrecks put a dent into the teams Chase hopes.
During the Gillette Fusion ProGlide 500 at Pocono Raceway
he had a top five car all race long, but due to a late race caution, some teams stayed out on track instead of joining the leaders on pit-road. This put Kahne in the back end of the top twenty, and during the green-white-checkered finish Kahne tried to make it three-wide while battling for tenth place. However, he was blocked and ran down into the wet grass by his teammate A.J. Allmendinger. Kasey spun back into the racing surface and was hit by Greg Biffle
and Mark Martin
. The #9 car took off and landed on top of the outside wall, hit a tree behind the wall and span back onto the track on all four wheels. Kahne and Biffle both put the blame on Allmendinger for causing the huge crash.
Kahne rebounded from the disappointment at Pocono by leading laps in the following race at Michigan and finishing 2nd, behind the dominant Denny Hamlin
. He also qualified on pole for the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway
the following week; and converted the pole position into a solid 4th place finish; after bouncing back from a poor first stint, to post back-to-back top five finishes.
In qualifying for the 2010 Carfax 400
at Michigan International Speedway
, Kasey Kahne earned his second pole position of the season. On October 3, 2010, Kahne started the Price Chopper 400 at Kansas Speedway
from the pole position
.
On October 20, 2010, Kahne was released from the remainder of his contract with Richard Petty Motorsports. The next day it was announced that Kahne would drive for Red Bull Racing Team for the remainder of the season as well as the full 2011 season starting with the TUMS Bring It On 500 at Martinsville Speedway
.
After the 2010 season finale in Homestead, Kahne went in for knee surgery due to discomfort and pain caused by plica syndrome
.
. Kahne will be driving the #5 for Hendrick Motorsports
. On August 10, 2010, the Red Bull Racing Team officially announced that Kahne would drive one of their cars for the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Season, a tenure that would start in the 2010 season after Kahne was released from RPM. Kahne used the number 4 for his Red Bull Toyota, a homage to the number he used in Sprint Cars. Prior to the acquisition, the #4 was made famous by Morgan-McClure Motorsports
. On May 6, 2011, Kahne won his first pole for Red Bull Race and his 21st career pole at Darlington Raceway
. On June 9, it was announced that Farmers Insurance Group would sponsor Kahne for 22 races in 2012. It was also announced that his current crew chief Kenny Francis will join in at Hendrick.
Kahne dominated the early stages of the Brickyard 400, but spun late in the race and had to settle for 18th position. He led 48 laps, a race-high.
He did not make it into the 2011 Chase for the Sprint Cup, resting at 21st in points following the cut-off race, the Wonderful Pistachios 400 at Richmond International Raceway
on September 10.
On November 13th, at the newly configured Phoenix International Raceway
, Kahne held off Carl Edwards
in the closing laps to take his first victory of the season, his first victory for the Red Bull Racing Team, and Kahne's first victory in over two years. Kahne only led the final 14 laps of the race.
. He is featured in commercials with three women, all of whom are distracted by Kahne's good looks, thus resulting in accidents (knocking over a scoreboard tower, running into a sign with a giant tire which falls off and crushes another car, and in a twist, when Kahne notices them and remembers their accident prone history, he knocks over a utility pole into a fireworks stand, causing it to set off the fireworks inside).
Kasey Kahne Racing, NASCAR Media Group and Motorsports Management International partnered to produce the 2009 release, "The Rise of Kahne." This 90-minute biographical profile features interviews with Kahne, his family and other NASCAR personalities. Footage covers the stock-car
racer's open-wheel roots and successes leading up to his June 2009 win at Infineon Raceway, his first for Richard Petty Motorsports. The DVD also shows his work with the Kasey Kahne Foundation and his own sprint car race team.
2010
2009
2008
2006
2005
†Non-points race
2006
2005
2003
2004
Statistics are as of November 30, 2011 Kasey Kahne Sprint Cup Series Statistics]
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
driver. He drives the #5 Farmers Insurance Group Chevrolet Impala
Chevrolet Impala
The Chevrolet Impala is a full-size automobile built by the Chevrolet division of General Motors introduced for the 1958 model year. Deriving its name from the southern African antelope, Chevrolet's most expensive passenger model through 1965 had become the best-selling automobile in the United...
for Hendrick Motorsports
Hendrick Motorsports
Hendrick Motorsports , originally named All Star Racing, is a current American auto racing team created in 1984 by Rick Hendrick. The team currently competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with Chevrolet Impalas...
in the Sprint Cup Series.
Off the track, Kahne is active in charitable work and is a member of the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation
President's Council on Service and Civic Participation
The President's Council on Service and Civic Participation was created by President George W. Bush in January 2003 by executive order. Its mission is to encourage volunteerism and to recognize the contributions Americans make through service and civic participation.In January 2002, President...
. He also owns his own race team, Kasey Kahne Racing
Kasey Kahne Racing
Kasey Kahne Racing is a dirt/concrete sprint car racing team founded and owned by Kasey Kahne who is currently a driver for Red Bull Racing Team in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The team fields cars in World of Outlaws and the USAC Sprint Car series for Joey Saldana, Brad Sweet, Cody Darrah and...
, that competes in the World of Outlaws
World of Outlaws
The World of Outlaws is an American motorsports sanctioning body. The body sanctions two major national touring series. It is best known for sanctioning a national tour of sprint cars. It later purchased a national tour of late model stockcars called the World of Outlaws Late Model Series...
series, fielding two cars, one for Joey Saldana
Joey Saldana
Joey Saldana , known as the "Brownsburg Bullet", is an American sprint car racing driver. He is the son of former driver Joe Saldana....
, and the other for Cody Darrah. His team also fields a car in the USAC Sprint Car Series
Sprint car racing
Sprint cars are high-powered race cars designed primarily for the purpose of running on short oval or circular dirt or paved tracks. Sprint car racing is popular in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa....
for Brady Bacon, and in USAC midgets
Midget car racing
Midget cars, also Speedcars in Australia, are very small race cars with a very high power-to-weight ratio and typically use four-cylinder engines.-Cars:Typically, these cars have 300 to 400 horsepower and weigh...
for Brad Sweet. Kahne is a two-time Skagit Speedway winner of the Annual Jim Raper memorial Dirt Cup (2002 and 2003), and holds the current record for the fastest lap at Skagit.
Early career
Kahne began racing open wheel sprint cars at Deming Speedway at 17 in Deming, WashingtonDeming, Washington
Deming is a census-designated place in Whatcom County, Washington, United States. Named for its first postmaster, George Deming, its population was 353 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Deming is located at ....
, before moving up to Skagit speedway in Alger, Washington
Alger, Washington
Alger is a census-designated place in Skagit County, Washington, United States. The population was 403 at the 2010 census. It is included in the Mount Vernon–Anacortes, Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area.Alger is located along Old Highway 99...
, and then he moved to USAC. In 2001, Kahne made a trip to Pennsylvania where he won the season opener at the historic Williams Grove Speedway. He was hired by Steve Lewis
Steve Lewis (diver)
Steve Lewis is an active cave and wreck diver. Born in Peckham, New Cross London, he currently resides in Muskoka, Ontario Canada.-Technical Diving International:...
, who had also employed future NASCAR drivers Jeff Gordon
Jeff Gordon
Jeffery Michael "Jeff" Gordon is a professional NASCAR driver. He is the driver of the #24 Drive to End Hunger/DuPont/Pepsi Chevrolet Impala. He is a four-time Sprint Cup Series champion and a three-time Daytona 500 winner. He is third on the all-time wins list, with 85 career wins, and has the...
, Jason Leffler
Jason Leffler
Jason Leffler is a NASCAR driver from Long Beach, California. Leffler began racing in the open-wheel ranks before moving to NASCAR's three major series...
, Tony Stewart
Tony Stewart
Anthony Wayne "Tony" Stewart is an American auto racing driver and owner. Throughout his racing career, Stewart has won titles in Indy cars and stock cars as well as midget, sprint and USAC Silver Crown cars, giving him the recognition of "one of the finest racers of his generation."Stewart...
, and Kenny Irwin, Jr. In his first year on the circuit, he was named Rookie of the Year, as well as winning the national midget championship. He continued to run USAC, as well as the Toyota Atlantic Series
Champ Car Atlantic Championship
The Cooper Tires presents the Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda was a formula race car series with races throughout North America. It is often colloquially referred to as the Atlantic Championship, Champ Car Atlantics , Toyota Atlantics , or just Atlantics or Formula...
and the World of Outlaws
World of Outlaws
The World of Outlaws is an American motorsports sanctioning body. The body sanctions two major national touring series. It is best known for sanctioning a national tour of sprint cars. It later purchased a national tour of late model stockcars called the World of Outlaws Late Model Series...
.
Kahne made 20 starts in the Nationwide Series driving the #98 Channellock Ford Taurus
Ford Taurus
The Ford Taurus is an automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company in the United States. Originally introduced in the 1986 model year, it has remained in near-continuous production for more than two decades, making it the fourth oldest nameplate that is currently sold in the North American...
for Robert Yates Racing. His best finish was a tenth-place finish at Cabela's 250. In 2003, he moved to the #38 Great Clips Ford for Akins Motorsports
Akins Motorsports
Akins Motorsports was a NASCAR team based in Mooresville, North Carolina, which is near Charlotte. The team was formed in 1993 by at the time owned by Brad Akins and Bob Sutton. At the time the team was sold to Braun Racing it was owned by Doug Stringer....
. He won his first pole at Michigan International Speedway
Michigan International Speedway
Michigan International Speedway is a two-mile moderate-banked D-shaped superspeedway located off U.S. Highway 12 on more than in Brooklyn, in the scenic Irish Hills area of southeastern Michigan. The track is used primarily for NASCAR events. It is sometimes known as a "sister track" to Texas...
and his first Nationwide race at the Ford 300
Ford 300
The Ford 300 is a NASCAR Nationwide Series race that takes place at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The race is part of the NASCAR Ford Championship Weekend, and is the final race of the season for the Nationwide Series....
. In 2004, he also made a pair of starts in the Craftsman Truck Series
Craftsman Truck Series
The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series is a pickup truck racing series owned and operated by the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing...
at Darlington Raceway
Darlington Raceway
Darlington Raceway is a race track built for NASCAR racing located near Darlington, South Carolina. It is nicknamed the "Lady in Black" and "The Track Too Tough to Tame" by many NASCAR fans and drivers and advertised as "A NASCAR Tradition"...
and Homestead-Miami Speedway
Homestead-Miami Speedway
Homestead-Miami Speedway is a race track in Homestead, Florida southwest of Miami.Since 2002 Homestead has hosted the final races of the season in all three of NASCAR's series: the Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series, and the Camping World Truck Series...
, driving the #2 Team ASE Racing Dodge Ram
Dodge Ram
The Dodge Ram is a full-size pickup truck manufactured by the Chrysler Group LLC. As of late 2010, it has been sold under the Ram Trucks brand. Previously, Ram was part of the Dodge lineup of light trucks...
for Ultra Motorsports
Ultra Motorsports
Ultra Motorsports was a NASCAR Winston Cup & Craftsman Truck Series racing team. Jim Smith helped start the team and the Craftsman Truck Series. It ran full time in the Craftsman Truck Series from 1994 to 2005, earning many wins and a 2005 championship with Ted Musgrave...
, winning both races.
Sprint Cup career
Kahne replaced Bill ElliottBill Elliott
William Clyde "Bill" Elliott , also known as Awesome Bill from Dawsonville or Million Dollar Bill, is a part-time driver and former champion of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Elliott was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America on August 15, 2007. He won the 1988 NASCAR Winston Cup...
in the #9 Dodge at the end of 2003 when Elliott announced a part-time schedule starting with the 2004 season. Due to the fact that Kahne was still under contract with Ford, a lawsuit began when Kahne decided to go to Evernham, driving a car that was being sponsored by Dodge
Dodge
Dodge is a United States-based brand of automobiles, minivans, and sport utility vehicles, manufactured and marketed by Chrysler Group LLC in more than 60 different countries and territories worldwide....
. Ford eventually got money from Kahne, allowing him to go to Dodge. In 2004, Kahne surprised many by nearly winning several races (including five second-place finishes and 13 top-fives), winning four poles and captured the Raybestos Rookie of the Year award. He drove 30 races for Akins in the Busch Series, finishing thirteenth in points.
2005
Kahne scored his first career Sprint Cup victory in his sophomore season of 2005, after a dominating performance in the Chevy American Revolution 400 at Richmond International RacewayRichmond International Raceway
Richmond International Raceway is a 3/4-mile , D-shaped, asphalt race track located just outside Richmond, Virginia in Henrico County. It hosts the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide Series...
. It was also the first victory for the Dodge Charger, which returned to NASCAR in 2005. In addition, he became the first driver born in the 1980's to win a race in NASCAR's premier series. He also scored two poles in back-to-back weeks at Darlington
Darlington Raceway
Darlington Raceway is a race track built for NASCAR racing located near Darlington, South Carolina. It is nicknamed the "Lady in Black" and "The Track Too Tough to Tame" by many NASCAR fans and drivers and advertised as "A NASCAR Tradition"...
and Richmond
Richmond International Raceway
Richmond International Raceway is a 3/4-mile , D-shaped, asphalt race track located just outside Richmond, Virginia in Henrico County. It hosts the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide Series...
during the same year. He made 22 starts in the Busch Series
Busch Series
The NASCAR Nationwide Series is a stock car racing series owned and operated by the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing. It is promoted as NASCAR's "minor league" circuit, and is a proving ground for drivers who wish to step up to the organization's "big leagues"; the Sprint Cup circuit...
, splitting time with Akins and Evernham's new #6 team. He won the O'Reilly 300
O'Reilly 300
The O'Reilly Auto Parts 300 is a NASCAR Nationwide Series race that takes place each spring at Texas Motor Speedway, and was first held in 1997. In 2005, TMS was rewarded with a second Nationwide Series event in November, the O'Reilly Challenge...
at Texas Motor Speedway
Texas Motor Speedway
Texas Motor Speedway is a speedway located in the northernmost portion of the U.S. city of Fort Worth, Texas – the portion located in Denton County, Texas....
, and the United Way 300 at Kansas Speedway
Kansas Speedway
Kansas Speedway is a tri-oval race track in Kansas City, Kansas. The speedway was built in 2001 and currently hosts two annual NASCAR race weekends. The IndyCar Series also raced at the speedway until 2011...
.
2006
Golden Corral 500
The Atlanta 500 was a NASCAR Sprint Cup stock car race that was run every March at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Georgia from 1960 until 2010...
at Atlanta Motor Speedway
Atlanta Motor Speedway
Atlanta Motor Speedway is a track just outside Hampton, Georgia, twenty miles south of Atlanta. It is a quad-oval track with a seating capacity of over 125,000. It opened in 1960 as a standard oval. In 1994, 46 condominiums were built over the northeastern side of the track...
. Nearly three weeks later, he won the Samsung/Radio Shack 500
Samsung/Radio Shack 500
The Samsung Mobile 500 is a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race held at the Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas USA. Even though is advertised as a "500 mile" race, because TMS is a track, the actual distance is . There were 10 different winners in the first ten races, the longest such streak for...
at Texas. He won four races after that, among them a season sweep at Lowe's Motor Speedway
Lowe's Motor Speedway
Charlotte Motor Speedway is a motorsports complex located in Concord, North Carolina, United States 13 miles from Charlotte, North Carolina. The complex features a quad oval track that hosts NASCAR racing including the prestigious Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend and the Sprint All-Star Race...
in the Coca-Cola 600
Coca-Cola 600
The Coca-Cola 600, formerly known as the World 600, is a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race held each year at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina on Memorial Day weekend...
and the Bank of America 500
Bank of America 500
The Bank of America 500 is a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race that is hosted annually at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina, United States. The race is usually held in the month of October, as part of the Chase for the Sprint Cup and is 500 miles long...
, holding off Jimmie Johnson
Jimmie Johnson
Jimmie Kenneth Johnson is an American NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race car driver. He currently drives the No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports....
, who would go on to finish second in both events. He also won at California and Michigan.
On September 9, 2006, Kahne successfully raced his way into the Chase for The Cup by finishing third in Richmond. He was the 10th and last qualifier for the Chase. He edged defending Sprint Cup Champion Tony Stewart
Tony Stewart
Anthony Wayne "Tony" Stewart is an American auto racing driver and owner. Throughout his racing career, Stewart has won titles in Indy cars and stock cars as well as midget, sprint and USAC Silver Crown cars, giving him the recognition of "one of the finest racers of his generation."Stewart...
out by 16 points, but a disappointing crash at Dover
Dover International Speedway
Dover International Speedway is a NASCAR-sanctioned race track located in Dover, Delaware, owned by, and serving as the corporate headquarters of, Dover Motorsports, Inc. It is co-located with a harness racing track, Dover Downs, and shares the complex with Dover Downs Hotel & Casino...
made an impact on Kahne's 8th place finish for the season. Kahne also won 2 Busch Series races in '06.
On November 27, 2006 Kahne was honored by being invited to raise the traditional 12th Man flag prior to the Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football is a live broadcast of the National Football League on ESPN. From to it aired on ABC. Monday Night Football was, along with Hallmark Hall of Fame, and the Walt Disney anthology television series, one of the longest running prime time commercial network television series...
game against the Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
at Qwest Field
Qwest Field
CenturyLink Field is a multi-purpose stadium in Seattle, Washington, United States. It serves as the home field for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League and Seattle Sounders FC of Major League Soccer...
in Seattle. The ceremony has been ongoing since 2003, and involves a different Seattle-area sports hero and/or beloved member of the community kicking things off before every Seahawks home game. The Seahawks beat the Packers 34–24.
2007
2007 Daytona 500
The 2007 Daytona 500 was the first race of the 2007 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series season, taking place on February 18, 2007 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. Kevin Harvick won the race by .02 second over Mark Martin in the closest finish since the first race at Daytona...
, officials found holes in the wheel-wells of his Dodge Charger
Dodge Charger (LX)
The Dodge Charger LX is a rear-wheel drive four-door automobile introduced in February 2005. Built by Chrysler for its North American Dodge brand, the car was created to continue the Dodge Charger line, and replaced the Dodge Intrepid as Dodge's full-size sedan...
. A crew member said it was just tape that had fallen off of a hole in the tire. Officials said that the tape had been cut. He was one of the four drivers among Matt Kenseth
Matt Kenseth
Matthew Roy "Matt" Kenseth is an American stock car driver. Kenseth currently drives the No. 17 Crown Royal Ford Fusion in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for Roush Fenway Racing...
and his two teammates, Scott Riggs
Scott Riggs
Russell Scott Riggs is a NASCAR driver. He currently drives the #81 Dodge Charger for Whitney Motorsports in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.-Early career:...
and Elliott Sadler
Elliott Sadler
Elliott William Barnes Sadler is a NASCAR driver. He currently drives the #2 OneMain Financial Chevrolet Impala for Kevin Harvick Inc. in the Nationwide Series. He is one of only 23 drivers to have won in each of NASCAR's top three series...
whose cars had been found with aerodynamic-improving modifications. His team was one of the six teams found with illegal modifications in the Daytona festivities.
On May 26, 2007 Kahne won the Busch Series
Busch Series
The NASCAR Nationwide Series is a stock car racing series owned and operated by the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing. It is promoted as NASCAR's "minor league" circuit, and is a proving ground for drivers who wish to step up to the organization's "big leagues"; the Sprint Cup circuit...
CARQUEST Auto Parts 300
Carquest Auto Parts 300
The Top Gear 300 is a NASCAR Nationwide Series race that takes place at Charlotte Motor Speedway. It is held the day before the Coca-Cola 600 on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend...
race at Lowe's Motor Speedway
Lowe's Motor Speedway
Charlotte Motor Speedway is a motorsports complex located in Concord, North Carolina, United States 13 miles from Charlotte, North Carolina. The complex features a quad oval track that hosts NASCAR racing including the prestigious Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend and the Sprint All-Star Race...
scoring his first win of 2007.
On August 24, 2007 Kahne won the pole for the Sharpie 500
Sharpie 500
The Irwin Tools Night Race at Bristol is a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stock car race held at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee. It is one of two Sprint Cup races held at Bristol, the other being the Food City 500, but it is by far the more popular of the two...
at Bristol
Bristol Motor Speedway
Bristol Motor Speedway, formerly known as Bristol International Raceway and Bristol Raceway is a NASCAR short track venue located in Bristol, Tennessee. Constructed in 1960, it held its first NASCAR race on July 30, 1961...
, his second pole of the 2007 Nextel Cup Series. Later that night, during the Busch Series
Busch Series
The NASCAR Nationwide Series is a stock car racing series owned and operated by the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing. It is promoted as NASCAR's "minor league" circuit, and is a proving ground for drivers who wish to step up to the organization's "big leagues"; the Sprint Cup circuit...
Food City 250
Food City 250
The Food City 250 is a NASCAR Nationwide Series stock car race that takes place each August under the lights at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee. It is held the night before the Sprint Cup Series Sharpie 500...
, Kahne passed Ryan Newman on the top side in a 3-wide pass that included Jason Leffler
Jason Leffler
Jason Leffler is a NASCAR driver from Long Beach, California. Leffler began racing in the open-wheel ranks before moving to NASCAR's three major series...
on the bottom. He held off the hard charging Leffler to win the Food City 250
Food City 250
The Food City 250 is a NASCAR Nationwide Series stock car race that takes place each August under the lights at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee. It is held the night before the Sprint Cup Series Sharpie 500...
for his 7th career Busch Series
Busch Series
The NASCAR Nationwide Series is a stock car racing series owned and operated by the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing. It is promoted as NASCAR's "minor league" circuit, and is a proving ground for drivers who wish to step up to the organization's "big leagues"; the Sprint Cup circuit...
win and his 2nd of 2007.
The next day during the Sharpie 500
Sharpie 500
The Irwin Tools Night Race at Bristol is a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stock car race held at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee. It is one of two Sprint Cup races held at Bristol, the other being the Food City 500, but it is by far the more popular of the two...
, Kahne dominated most of the race leading 305 of 500 laps and finished 2nd to Carl Edwards
Carl Edwards
Carl Michael Edwards, II is a NASCAR driver. He currently drives the #99 Fastenal/Aflac Ford Fusion in the Sprint Cup Series and the #60 Ford in the Nationwide Series for Roush Fenway Racing...
. This was his best finish of the 2007 season.
On November 16, 2007 at Homestead-Miami Speedway
Homestead-Miami Speedway
Homestead-Miami Speedway is a race track in Homestead, Florida southwest of Miami.Since 2002 Homestead has hosted the final races of the season in all three of NASCAR's series: the Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series, and the Camping World Truck Series...
Kahne was accused by Archibald Hutchinson, a 62 year old track security guard, of shoving Hutchinson to the ground. The incident occurred when Kahne was attempting to enter the motorhome lot and Hutchinson refused entry due to Kahne not having the proper credentials. Kahne claimed he had bumped into the security guard as he attempted to walk around the guard to enter the lot. Hutchinson was taken to the infield medical center following the incident complaining of elevated blood pressure. He was treated for scrapes and bruises and later released. Kahne faced a misdemeanor assault charge over the incident which he pled not guilty to. Hutchinson also filed a civil suit against Kahne seeking more than $15,000 for medical bills, lost wages, and punitive damage. In December 2008, the court agreed to dismiss the criminal charges and clear Kahne criminal record upon completion of 50 hours of community service and a donation of $50 to a court charity. Hutchinson, through his attorneys, dismissed the civil suit in September 2009 following an undisclosed settlement.
After a disappointing 2007 season Kahne finished 19th in points with no wins, 1 top 5, 8 top 10s and an average finish of 22.2.
2008
Budweiser (Anheuser-Busch)
Budweiser is a 5.0% abv American-style lager introduced in 1876 by Adolphus Busch and one of the highest selling beers in the United States. It is made with up to 30% rice in addition to hops and barley malt. Budweiser is produced in various breweries located around the world...
, Kahne started off the 2008 season strong as he finished in the top 10 in both the Budweiser Shootout
2008 Budweiser Shootout
The 2008 Budweiser Shootout was the first official, non-points paying event of the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The race was run on Saturday, February 9, 2008 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida and was restricted to those who were the fastest qualifiers in the 2007...
and the Gatorade Duel
2008 Gatorade Duels
The 2008 Gatorade Duels were a pair of qualifying races for the 2008 Daytona 500, and was held on February 14, 2008 at the 2.5 mile Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida....
.
As a result of a 4th place finish in his duel, Kahne started 10th in the 50th running
2008 Daytona 500
The 2008 Daytona 500 was the 50th annual running of "The Great American Race", the Daytona 500. The race took place on Sunday, February 17, 2008 at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. The race was the 50th to be run since the first in 1959, won by Lee Petty. To commemorate...
of the Daytona 500
Daytona 500
The Daytona 500 is a -long NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race held annually at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. It is one of four restrictor plate races on the Cup schedule....
on February 17, 2008. Kahne finished 7th behind teammate Elliott Sadler
Elliott Sadler
Elliott William Barnes Sadler is a NASCAR driver. He currently drives the #2 OneMain Financial Chevrolet Impala for Kevin Harvick Inc. in the Nationwide Series. He is one of only 23 drivers to have won in each of NASCAR's top three series...
in the 2008 Daytona 500
2008 Daytona 500
The 2008 Daytona 500 was the 50th annual running of "The Great American Race", the Daytona 500. The race took place on Sunday, February 17, 2008 at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. The race was the 50th to be run since the first in 1959, won by Lee Petty. To commemorate...
, this was a repeat of the 2007 race
2007 Daytona 500
The 2007 Daytona 500 was the first race of the 2007 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series season, taking place on February 18, 2007 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. Kevin Harvick won the race by .02 second over Mark Martin in the closest finish since the first race at Daytona...
where Sadler and Kahne also finished 6th and 7th respectively.
During the early laps of the Auto Club 500
Auto Club 500
The Auto Club 400 is a long NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stock car race held at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California. Prior to 2005, the race was held in late April or early May, and until 2010, the race was run at a length of 500 miles. When the NASCAR Realignment of 2005 was made, the race...
Kahne worked his way from 20th to 14th, but brushed the wall on lap 7. He however went on to finish a strong 9th after the long rain delay the race suffered. Kahne had to start in the back due to an engine change at the UAW-Dodge 400. He wound up 6th at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Las Vegas Motor Speedway, located in Clark County, Nevada near Las Vegas, is a complex of multiple tracks for automobile racing. The complex is owned by Speedway Motorsports, Inc., which is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina.-History:...
.
On May 17, 2008, Kahne was voted into the 2008 Sprint All-Star Race XXIV
2008 Sprint All-Star Race
The Sprint Showdown and Sprint All-Star Race XXIV were run on Saturday, May 17, 2008 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina, a suburb outside of Charlotte...
by his fans via cell phone text messaging
Text messaging
Text messaging, or texting, refers to the exchange of brief written text messages between fixed-line phone or mobile phone and fixed or portable devices over a network...
and online voting. After performing a required stop-and-go pit stop, Kahne began the fourth segment in second place on old tires. He went on to win the race and win $
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
1,012,975. Kahne became the first driver to win the race from the fan vote and the third driver to race in the Sprint Showdown and go on to win the All-Star race.
On May 25, 2008, Kasey Kahne won the Coca-Cola 600
Coca-Cola 600
The Coca-Cola 600, formerly known as the World 600, is a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race held each year at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina on Memorial Day weekend...
by passing Tony Stewart
Tony Stewart
Anthony Wayne "Tony" Stewart is an American auto racing driver and owner. Throughout his racing career, Stewart has won titles in Indy cars and stock cars as well as midget, sprint and USAC Silver Crown cars, giving him the recognition of "one of the finest racers of his generation."Stewart...
with 2 laps to go, as Tony had a flat tire going into turn 1. It was Kasey's first points-paying win of the season. He also became the sixth driver to win the race along with the All-Star Race
2008 Sprint All-Star Race
The Sprint Showdown and Sprint All-Star Race XXIV were run on Saturday, May 17, 2008 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina, a suburb outside of Charlotte...
the previous weekend.
Pole position
The term "pole position", as used in motorsports, comes from the horse racing term where the number one starter starts on the inside next to the inside pole. The term made its way, along with several other customs, to auto racing. In circuit motorsports, a driver has pole position when he or she...
for the Pocono 500. He would go onto win the race despite being 38th at one point during the race after a miscue in the pits.
On June 20, 2008, Kasey Kahne won the pole
Pole position
The term "pole position", as used in motorsports, comes from the horse racing term where the number one starter starts on the inside next to the inside pole. The term made its way, along with several other customs, to auto racing. In circuit motorsports, a driver has pole position when he or she...
for the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway
Infineon Raceway
Infineon Raceway, formerly Sears Point Raceway, is a road course and drag strip located on the landform known as Sears Point in the southern Sonoma Mountains near Sonoma, California, USA. The course is a complex series of twists and turns that go up and down the hills...
, marking his second pole in three races. However, after handling issues early in the race, Kahne fell victim to pit road, went a lap down, and finished 33rd.
Following two 40th place finishes in a row (a Bristol Motor Speedway
Bristol Motor Speedway
Bristol Motor Speedway, formerly known as Bristol International Raceway and Bristol Raceway is a NASCAR short track venue located in Bristol, Tennessee. Constructed in 1960, it held its first NASCAR race on July 30, 1961...
wreck, caused by miscommunications between Casey Mears
Casey Mears
Casey James Mears is the driver of the #13 GEICO Toyota for Germain Racing in the Sprint Cup Series. He is a former winner of the Coca-Cola 600....
and his spotter, and a Michigan International Speedway
Michigan International Speedway
Michigan International Speedway is a two-mile moderate-banked D-shaped superspeedway located off U.S. Highway 12 on more than in Brooklyn, in the scenic Irish Hills area of southeastern Michigan. The track is used primarily for NASCAR events. It is sometimes known as a "sister track" to Texas...
engine failure), Kahne found himself sitting outside of the top 12, out of contention for the Chase. At the start of the last regular season race, at Richmond International Raceway
Richmond International Raceway
Richmond International Raceway is a 3/4-mile , D-shaped, asphalt race track located just outside Richmond, Virginia in Henrico County. It hosts the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide Series...
, Kahne, David Ragan
David Ragan
David Ragan, , is an American NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race car driver. He has previously driven the #6 Roush Fenway Racing ford, but is currently looking for a ride for the 2012 season...
, and Clint Bowyer
Clint Bowyer
Clint Bowyer is a NASCAR driver. He drives the #15 5 Hour Energy Toyota Camry in the Sprint Cup Series for Michael Waltrip Racing. Early in his career, he drove for Richard Childress Racing. He won the 2008 Nationwide Series championship....
were vying for that 12th spot. Unfortunately for Kahne, he was unable to make up enough points to put him into the Chase for the Sprint Cup. Kahne missed the 2008 Chase by 69 points and ended the season in 14th place.
2009
Kahne's new team for 2009, Richard Petty Motorsports, was the result of a merger between his team's previous incarnation, Gillett Evernham Motorsports and Petty EnterprisesPetty Enterprises
Petty Enterprises was a NASCAR racing team based in Randleman, North Carolina, USA. The team was owned by Richard Petty, his son Kyle Petty, and Boston Ventures. At the time of its folding the team operated the #43 and #45 Dodge Chargers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Petty Enterprises ran from...
. Kahne won the Toyota/Save Mart 350 event on June 21, 2009, for his first road course win. Kahne ran the fewest events in other NASCAR series, only seven (four in the Nationwide Series, three in the Whelen Modefied Tour). With less distractions, Kahne's track record improved, taking his second win of the season at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
After the first 26 races of the season Kahne was in the top twelve in points, earning him a place in the Chase for the Championship. He was seeded fifth in points. After suffering an engine failure at New Hampshire, Kahne struggled to get back into contention for the championship and finished 10th in the final season standings, despite finishing 2nd at the AMP Energy 500 at Talladega Superspeedway
Talladega Superspeedway
Talladega Superspeedway is a motorsports complex located north of Talladega, Alabama, United States. It is located on the former Anniston Air Force Base just outside the small city of Lincoln. It was constructed by International Speedway Corporation, a business controlled by the France Family, in...
.
2010
On September 10, 2009, it was announced that Richard Petty Motorsports would merge with Yates Racing. Kasey Kahne would remain as one of four drivers of RPM alongside his current teammates Sadler, Allmendinger, as well as Yates Racing driver Paul MenardPaul Menard
Paul Menard is a NASCAR driver. He currently drives the #27 Menards Chevrolet in the Sprint Cup Series for Richard Childress Racing and runs part-time for Kevin Harvick Inc. in the Nationwide Series. He is the son of Menards founder John Menard, Jr., whose company is his sponsor...
. The team changed manufacturers to Ford
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
and received Roush-Yates engines and other equipment from Roush Fenway Racing.
Driving the new Ford Fusion car, Kahne won the Gatorade Duel #2 at Daytona International Speedway on February 11, 2010, He also finished in second position in the 2010 Budweiser Shootout. Kahne ended up 30th in the Daytona 500 after being wrecked late in the race. He had been running up front for most of the race and had the fastest lap of the race. Kahne had a strong car at the Auto Club 500
Auto Club 500
The Auto Club 400 is a long NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stock car race held at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California. Prior to 2005, the race was held in late April or early May, and until 2010, the race was run at a length of 500 miles. When the NASCAR Realignment of 2005 was made, the race...
; however he spun late in turn 4.
Kahne had a good run at Atlanta a few weeks later where he led the most laps in the race, and finished inside the top five. During the following couple of months, Kasey would be unable to compete for race wins as mistakes and wrecks put a dent into the teams Chase hopes.
During the Gillette Fusion ProGlide 500 at Pocono Raceway
Pocono Raceway
Pocono Raceway also known as the Tricky Triangle, is a superspeedway located in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania at Long Pond...
he had a top five car all race long, but due to a late race caution, some teams stayed out on track instead of joining the leaders on pit-road. This put Kahne in the back end of the top twenty, and during the green-white-checkered finish Kahne tried to make it three-wide while battling for tenth place. However, he was blocked and ran down into the wet grass by his teammate A.J. Allmendinger. Kasey spun back into the racing surface and was hit by Greg Biffle
Greg Biffle
Gregory Jack "Greg" Biffle is a NASCAR driver who drives the #16 3M Ford Fusion for Roush Fenway Racing in the Sprint Cup Series. After racing in the NASCAR Winter Heat Series in the mid-90s, he was recommended to Jack Roush by former announcer Benny Parsons...
and Mark Martin
Mark Martin
Mark Martin may refer to:* Mark Martin , American racecar driver* Mark Martin , American cartoonist* Mark Martin , American judge* Mark Martin , British murderer...
. The #9 car took off and landed on top of the outside wall, hit a tree behind the wall and span back onto the track on all four wheels. Kahne and Biffle both put the blame on Allmendinger for causing the huge crash.
Kahne rebounded from the disappointment at Pocono by leading laps in the following race at Michigan and finishing 2nd, behind the dominant Denny Hamlin
Denny Hamlin
James Dennis Alan "Denny" Hamlin is an American race car driver. Though originally born in Tampa, Florida, Hamlin was raised for most of his life in Chesterfield, Virginia. After racing in go-karts for a number of years, he worked his way up to Late Models by 2004 and signed a development contract...
. He also qualified on pole for the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway
Infineon Raceway
Infineon Raceway, formerly Sears Point Raceway, is a road course and drag strip located on the landform known as Sears Point in the southern Sonoma Mountains near Sonoma, California, USA. The course is a complex series of twists and turns that go up and down the hills...
the following week; and converted the pole position into a solid 4th place finish; after bouncing back from a poor first stint, to post back-to-back top five finishes.
In qualifying for the 2010 Carfax 400
2010 Carfax 400
The 2010 Carfax 400 was a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stock car race that was held on August 15, 2010 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan. Contested over 200 laps, it was the twenty-third race of the 2010 Sprint Cup Series season. The race was won by Kevin Harvick for the...
at Michigan International Speedway
Michigan International Speedway
Michigan International Speedway is a two-mile moderate-banked D-shaped superspeedway located off U.S. Highway 12 on more than in Brooklyn, in the scenic Irish Hills area of southeastern Michigan. The track is used primarily for NASCAR events. It is sometimes known as a "sister track" to Texas...
, Kasey Kahne earned his second pole position of the season. On October 3, 2010, Kahne started the Price Chopper 400 at Kansas Speedway
Kansas Speedway
Kansas Speedway is a tri-oval race track in Kansas City, Kansas. The speedway was built in 2001 and currently hosts two annual NASCAR race weekends. The IndyCar Series also raced at the speedway until 2011...
from the pole position
Pole position
The term "pole position", as used in motorsports, comes from the horse racing term where the number one starter starts on the inside next to the inside pole. The term made its way, along with several other customs, to auto racing. In circuit motorsports, a driver has pole position when he or she...
.
On October 20, 2010, Kahne was released from the remainder of his contract with Richard Petty Motorsports. The next day it was announced that Kahne would drive for Red Bull Racing Team for the remainder of the season as well as the full 2011 season starting with the TUMS Bring It On 500 at Martinsville Speedway
Martinsville Speedway
Martinsville Speedway is an International Speedway Corporation-owned NASCAR stock car racing track located in Henry County, near Ridgeway, Virginia, just to the south of Martinsville. At in length, it is the shortest track in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The track was also one of the first paved...
.
After the 2010 season finale in Homestead, Kahne went in for knee surgery due to discomfort and pain caused by plica syndrome
Plica Syndrome
Plica Syndrome occurs when the plica becomes irritated or inflamed.-Presentation and pathophysiology:...
.
2011
On April 13, 2010, Kahne announced that he would be leaving Richard Petty Motorsports at the end of the 2010 season to race in 2012 with Hendrick MotorsportsHendrick Motorsports
Hendrick Motorsports , originally named All Star Racing, is a current American auto racing team created in 1984 by Rick Hendrick. The team currently competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with Chevrolet Impalas...
. Kahne will be driving the #5 for Hendrick Motorsports
Hendrick Motorsports
Hendrick Motorsports , originally named All Star Racing, is a current American auto racing team created in 1984 by Rick Hendrick. The team currently competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with Chevrolet Impalas...
. On August 10, 2010, the Red Bull Racing Team officially announced that Kahne would drive one of their cars for the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Season, a tenure that would start in the 2010 season after Kahne was released from RPM. Kahne used the number 4 for his Red Bull Toyota, a homage to the number he used in Sprint Cars. Prior to the acquisition, the #4 was made famous by Morgan-McClure Motorsports
Morgan-McClure Motorsports
Morgan-McClure Motorsports is an American auto racing team that competed in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series full time until 2007 and now occasionally attempts races. It has been in operation for 27 years, starting in 1982. The team is most notable for running the #4 from 1983 to 2009.-Starting...
. On May 6, 2011, Kahne won his first pole for Red Bull Race and his 21st career pole at Darlington Raceway
Darlington Raceway
Darlington Raceway is a race track built for NASCAR racing located near Darlington, South Carolina. It is nicknamed the "Lady in Black" and "The Track Too Tough to Tame" by many NASCAR fans and drivers and advertised as "A NASCAR Tradition"...
. On June 9, it was announced that Farmers Insurance Group would sponsor Kahne for 22 races in 2012. It was also announced that his current crew chief Kenny Francis will join in at Hendrick.
Kahne dominated the early stages of the Brickyard 400, but spun late in the race and had to settle for 18th position. He led 48 laps, a race-high.
He did not make it into the 2011 Chase for the Sprint Cup, resting at 21st in points following the cut-off race, the Wonderful Pistachios 400 at Richmond International Raceway
Richmond International Raceway
Richmond International Raceway is a 3/4-mile , D-shaped, asphalt race track located just outside Richmond, Virginia in Henrico County. It hosts the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide Series...
on September 10.
On November 13th, at the newly configured Phoenix International Raceway
Phoenix International Raceway
Phoenix International Raceway, also known as PIR, is a one-mile, low-banked tri-oval race track located in Avondale, Arizona. The track opened in 1964 and currently hosts two NASCAR race weekends annually. PIR has also hosted the Indycar Series, CART, USAC and the Rolex Sports Car Series...
, Kahne held off Carl Edwards
Carl Edwards
Carl Michael Edwards, II is a NASCAR driver. He currently drives the #99 Fastenal/Aflac Ford Fusion in the Sprint Cup Series and the #60 Ford in the Nationwide Series for Roush Fenway Racing...
in the closing laps to take his first victory of the season, his first victory for the Red Bull Racing Team, and Kahne's first victory in over two years. Kahne only led the final 14 laps of the race.
Promotional activities
Kahne has been a spokesman for AllstateAllstate
The Allstate Corporation is the second-largest personal lines insurer in the United States and the largest that is publicly held. The company also has personal lines insurance operations in Canada. Allstate was founded in 1931 as part of Sears, Roebuck and Co., and was spun off in 1993...
. He is featured in commercials with three women, all of whom are distracted by Kahne's good looks, thus resulting in accidents (knocking over a scoreboard tower, running into a sign with a giant tire which falls off and crushes another car, and in a twist, when Kahne notices them and remembers their accident prone history, he knocks over a utility pole into a fireworks stand, causing it to set off the fireworks inside).
Film and television
Kahne was featured in the premiere episode of the 2006 Biography Channel series, "Driven to Win". This 30-minute program covered Kahne's childhood and entry into NASCAR, as well as his 2004 Rookie of the Year season and his first win in 2005.Kasey Kahne Racing, NASCAR Media Group and Motorsports Management International partnered to produce the 2009 release, "The Rise of Kahne." This 90-minute biographical profile features interviews with Kahne, his family and other NASCAR personalities. Footage covers the stock-car
Stock car racing
Stock car racing is a form of automobile racing found mainly in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Great Britain, Brazil and Argentina. Traditionally, races are run on oval tracks measuring approximately in length...
racer's open-wheel roots and successes leading up to his June 2009 win at Infineon Raceway, his first for Richard Petty Motorsports. The DVD also shows his work with the Kasey Kahne Foundation and his own sprint car race team.
Sprint Cup
2011- Kobalt Tools 500 at Phoenix International RacewayPhoenix International RacewayPhoenix International Raceway, also known as PIR, is a one-mile, low-banked tri-oval race track located in Avondale, Arizona. The track opened in 1964 and currently hosts two NASCAR race weekends annually. PIR has also hosted the Indycar Series, CART, USAC and the Rolex Sports Car Series...
– November 13, 2011
2010
- Gatorade Duel #2Gatorade DuelThe Gatorade Duel is NASCAR Sprint Cup Series preliminary event to the Daytona 500 held annually in February at Daytona International Speedway. It consists of two races, and serves as a qualifying race for the Daytona 500...
† at Daytona International SpeedwayDaytona International SpeedwayDaytona International Speedway is a race track in Daytona Beach, Florida, United States. Since opening in 1959, it has been the home of the Daytona 500, one of the most prestigious races in NASCAR. In addition to NASCAR, the track also hosts races of ARCA, AMA Superbike, Grand-Am and Motocross...
– February 11, 2010
2009
- Pep Boys Auto 500 at Atlanta Motor SpeedwayAtlanta Motor SpeedwayAtlanta Motor Speedway is a track just outside Hampton, Georgia, twenty miles south of Atlanta. It is a quad-oval track with a seating capacity of over 125,000. It opened in 1960 as a standard oval. In 1994, 46 condominiums were built over the northeastern side of the track...
– September 6, 2009 - Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Infineon RacewayInfineon RacewayInfineon Raceway, formerly Sears Point Raceway, is a road course and drag strip located on the landform known as Sears Point in the southern Sonoma Mountains near Sonoma, California, USA. The course is a complex series of twists and turns that go up and down the hills...
– June 21, 2009
2008
- Pocono 500Pocono 500The 5-hour Energy 500 is the first of two stock car races held at the Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania, on the NASCAR Sprint Cup schedule in mid-June, the other being the Pennsylvania 500, usually held in early August. The Pocono 500 replaced a 400-mile race at Texas World Speedway on...
at Pocono RacewayPocono RacewayPocono Raceway also known as the Tricky Triangle, is a superspeedway located in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania at Long Pond...
– June 8, 2008 - Coca-Cola 600Coca-Cola 600The Coca-Cola 600, formerly known as the World 600, is a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race held each year at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina on Memorial Day weekend...
at Charlotte Motor SpeedwayCharlotte Motor SpeedwayCharlotte Motor Speedway is a motorsports complex located in Concord, North Carolina, United States 13 miles from Charlotte, North Carolina. The complex features a quad oval track that hosts NASCAR racing including the prestigious Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend and the Sprint All-Star Race...
– May 25, 2008 - NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race XXIV† at Charlotte Motor SpeedwayCharlotte Motor SpeedwayCharlotte Motor Speedway is a motorsports complex located in Concord, North Carolina, United States 13 miles from Charlotte, North Carolina. The complex features a quad oval track that hosts NASCAR racing including the prestigious Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend and the Sprint All-Star Race...
– May 17, 2008
2006
- Bank of America 500Bank of America 500The Bank of America 500 is a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race that is hosted annually at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina, United States. The race is usually held in the month of October, as part of the Chase for the Sprint Cup and is 500 miles long...
at Charlotte Motor SpeedwayCharlotte Motor SpeedwayCharlotte Motor Speedway is a motorsports complex located in Concord, North Carolina, United States 13 miles from Charlotte, North Carolina. The complex features a quad oval track that hosts NASCAR racing including the prestigious Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend and the Sprint All-Star Race...
– October 14, 2006 - Sony HD 500Sony HD 500The Pepsi Max 400 was a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stock car race held annually at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California. It was the second of two Sprint Cup Series races held at the Auto Club Speedway and in 2009 and 2010 it was run in October as part of the Chase for the Sprint Cup.The...
at California SpeedwayCalifornia SpeedwayAuto Club Speedway is a two-mile , low-banked, D-shaped oval superspeedway in Fontana, California which has hosted NASCAR racing annually since 1997. The track was also used for open wheel racing events until 2005. The racetrack is located near the former locations of Ontario Motor Speedway and...
– September 3, 2006 - 3M Performance 400 Presented by Post-It Picture Paper at Michigan International SpeedwayMichigan International SpeedwayMichigan International Speedway is a two-mile moderate-banked D-shaped superspeedway located off U.S. Highway 12 on more than in Brooklyn, in the scenic Irish Hills area of southeastern Michigan. The track is used primarily for NASCAR events. It is sometimes known as a "sister track" to Texas...
– June 18, 2006 - Coca-Cola 600Coca-Cola 600The Coca-Cola 600, formerly known as the World 600, is a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race held each year at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina on Memorial Day weekend...
at Charlotte Motor SpeedwayCharlotte Motor SpeedwayCharlotte Motor Speedway is a motorsports complex located in Concord, North Carolina, United States 13 miles from Charlotte, North Carolina. The complex features a quad oval track that hosts NASCAR racing including the prestigious Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend and the Sprint All-Star Race...
– May 28, 2006 - Samsung 500 at Texas Motor SpeedwayTexas Motor SpeedwayTexas Motor Speedway is a speedway located in the northernmost portion of the U.S. city of Fort Worth, Texas – the portion located in Denton County, Texas....
– April 9, 2006 - Golden Corral 500Golden Corral 500The Atlanta 500 was a NASCAR Sprint Cup stock car race that was run every March at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Georgia from 1960 until 2010...
at Atlanta Motor SpeedwayAtlanta Motor SpeedwayAtlanta Motor Speedway is a track just outside Hampton, Georgia, twenty miles south of Atlanta. It is a quad-oval track with a seating capacity of over 125,000. It opened in 1960 as a standard oval. In 1994, 46 condominiums were built over the northeastern side of the track...
– March 19, 2006
2005
- Chevy American Revolution 400 at Richmond International RacewayRichmond International RacewayRichmond International Raceway is a 3/4-mile , D-shaped, asphalt race track located just outside Richmond, Virginia in Henrico County. It hosts the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide Series...
– May 14, 2005
†Non-points race
Nationwide Series
2007- Food City 250Food City 250The Food City 250 is a NASCAR Nationwide Series stock car race that takes place each August under the lights at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee. It is held the night before the Sprint Cup Series Sharpie 500...
– at Bristol Motor SpeedwayBristol Motor SpeedwayBristol Motor Speedway, formerly known as Bristol International Raceway and Bristol Raceway is a NASCAR short track venue located in Bristol, Tennessee. Constructed in 1960, it held its first NASCAR race on July 30, 1961...
– August 24, 2007 - Carquest Auto Parts 300Carquest Auto Parts 300The Top Gear 300 is a NASCAR Nationwide Series race that takes place at Charlotte Motor Speedway. It is held the day before the Coca-Cola 600 on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend...
– at Charlotte Motor SpeedwayCharlotte Motor SpeedwayCharlotte Motor Speedway is a motorsports complex located in Concord, North Carolina, United States 13 miles from Charlotte, North Carolina. The complex features a quad oval track that hosts NASCAR racing including the prestigious Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend and the Sprint All-Star Race...
– May 26, 2007
2006
- Ameriquest 300Ameriquest 300The CampingWorld.com 300 was a NASCAR Nationwide Series stock car race that took place at Auto Club Speedway of Southern California in Fontana, California. It was held the day before the Sprint Cup Series Pepsi Max 400. This race discontinued starting in 2011 due to low sales.-Past winners:*2009:...
– at California SpeedwayCalifornia SpeedwayAuto Club Speedway is a two-mile , low-banked, D-shaped oval superspeedway in Fontana, California which has hosted NASCAR racing annually since 1997. The track was also used for open wheel racing events until 2005. The racetrack is located near the former locations of Ontario Motor Speedway and...
– September 2, 2006 - Sam's Town 300Sam's Town 300The Sam's Town 300 is a NASCAR Nationwide Series stock car race held at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, Nevada. It has been scheduled as either the third, fourth, or fifth race of the season for the Nationwide Series since it was first held in 1997....
– at Las Vegas Motor SpeedwayLas Vegas Motor SpeedwayLas Vegas Motor Speedway, located in Clark County, Nevada near Las Vegas, is a complex of multiple tracks for automobile racing. The complex is owned by Speedway Motorsports, Inc., which is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina.-History:...
– March 11, 2006
2005
- United Way 300 Presented by Yellow Transportation & Sprint – at Kansas SpeedwayKansas SpeedwayKansas Speedway is a tri-oval race track in Kansas City, Kansas. The speedway was built in 2001 and currently hosts two annual NASCAR race weekends. The IndyCar Series also raced at the speedway until 2011...
– October 8, 2005 - O'Reilly 300O'Reilly 300The O'Reilly Auto Parts 300 is a NASCAR Nationwide Series race that takes place each spring at Texas Motor Speedway, and was first held in 1997. In 2005, TMS was rewarded with a second Nationwide Series event in November, the O'Reilly Challenge...
– at Texas Motor SpeedwayTexas Motor SpeedwayTexas Motor Speedway is a speedway located in the northernmost portion of the U.S. city of Fort Worth, Texas – the portion located in Denton County, Texas....
– April 16, 2005
2003
- Ford 300Ford 300The Ford 300 is a NASCAR Nationwide Series race that takes place at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The race is part of the NASCAR Ford Championship Weekend, and is the final race of the season for the Nationwide Series....
– at Homestead-Miami SpeedwayHomestead-Miami SpeedwayHomestead-Miami Speedway is a race track in Homestead, Florida southwest of Miami.Since 2002 Homestead has hosted the final races of the season in all three of NASCAR's series: the Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series, and the Camping World Truck Series...
– November 15, 2003
Camping World Truck Series
2011- Too Tough To Tame 200Too Tough To Tame 200The Too Tough To Tame 200 was a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race held at Darlington Raceway. The distance of the race was a little over 200 miles contested over 147 laps. First run in 2001, it was taken off the schedule after the 2004 season. In 2009, they announced after a six year hiatus,...
at Darlington RacewayDarlington RacewayDarlington Raceway is a race track built for NASCAR racing located near Darlington, South Carolina. It is nicknamed the "Lady in Black" and "The Track Too Tough to Tame" by many NASCAR fans and drivers and advertised as "A NASCAR Tradition"...
– March 12, 2011
2004
- Ford 200Ford 200The Ford 200 is a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race that takes place at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The races of 1996-2001 were scheduled 250 miles.It has served as the final event of the season for the Truck Series since 2002.-Past winners:...
at Homestead-Miami SpeedwayHomestead-Miami SpeedwayHomestead-Miami Speedway is a race track in Homestead, Florida southwest of Miami.Since 2002 Homestead has hosted the final races of the season in all three of NASCAR's series: the Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series, and the Camping World Truck Series...
– November 19, 2004 - Darlington 200Too Tough To Tame 200The Too Tough To Tame 200 was a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race held at Darlington Raceway. The distance of the race was a little over 200 miles contested over 147 laps. First run in 2001, it was taken off the schedule after the 2004 season. In 2009, they announced after a six year hiatus,...
at Darlington RacewayDarlington RacewayDarlington Raceway is a race track built for NASCAR racing located near Darlington, South Carolina. It is nicknamed the "Lady in Black" and "The Track Too Tough to Tame" by many NASCAR fans and drivers and advertised as "A NASCAR Tradition"...
– November 13, 2004
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series statistics
| Year | Races | Wins | Poles | Top 5 | Top 10 | DNF | Avg. Start | Avg. Finish | Winnings | Season Rank |
| 2011 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series The 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season was the 63rd season of professional stock car racing in the United States. The season included 36 races and two exhibition races, beginning with the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway and ending with the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The... |
36 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 15 | 4 | 11.3 | 15.6 | $4,680,775 | 14 |
| 2010 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series The 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season was the 62nd season of professional stock car racing in the United States. Beginning at Daytona International Speedway, the season included 36 races and two exhibition races. The season concluded with the 2010 Ford 400 at Homestead Miami Speedway... |
36 | 0 | 4 | 7 | 10 | 4 | 13.5 | 18.9 | $5,651,939 | 20 |
| 2009 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series The 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season was the 61st season of professional stock car racing in the United States, which began at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, with the 2009 Budweiser Shootout at Daytona, a race for the top six teams of the four brands in the 2008... |
36 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 14 | 2 | 11.8 | 15.3 | $7,005,551 | 10 |
| 2008 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series The 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season began on February 9, 2008 at Daytona International Speedway with the Budweiser Shootout, followed by pole qualifying on Sunday, February 10, 2008 for the 50th Daytona 500 on February 17... |
36 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 14 | 4 | 16.1 | 18.1 | $7,030,099 | 14 |
| 2007 | 36 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 6 | 14.3 | 22.2 | $5,750,131 | 19 |
| 2006 | 36 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 19 | 6 | 12.8 | 15.5 | $7,721,378 | 8 |
| 2005 | 36 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 14.8 | 21.9 | $5,183,697 | 23 |
| 2004 | 36 | 0 | 4 | 13 | 14 | 7 | 13.6 | 16.7 | $5,415,611 | 13 |
| Totals | 288 | 12 | 22 | 57 | 105 | 42 | 13.5 | 18.0 | $48,439,181 | |
Statistics are as of November 30, 2011 Kasey Kahne Sprint Cup Series Statistics]
External links
- Kasey Kahne's NASCAR Statistics
- Kasey Kahne's Official Web Site
- Kasey Kahne Racing
- Kasey Kahne on FoxSports
- Kasey Kahne at The Internet Movie Database
- Evernham Racing's Website for More Info on Kasey Kahne
- Interview with Kasey Kahne about his charitable work
- Kasey Kahne Video on FoxSports Video Archive